Nonsuch Knits

       NKF 003

Hat With Heart

Knit in the round or flat

For many years I have joined hundreds of knitters who have knit thousands of hats for our troops through
The Ships Project (www.theshipsproject.com). This is the hat pattern that I developed and use. The military
requires that there be no cuff, but there are many organizations that need hats for civilians, as well. Please
knit a hat for someone you love, and then a hat for a stranger, whatever the cause, need, or group.

Materials
• Worsted weight yarn, approx. 150 -200 yds
For hat in the round:
• One 16” circular needle, size 8, or size required to get gauge
• One set double-pointed needles, size 8, or the same as the circular needle
For flat hat:
• One pair knitting needles, size 8, or size required to get gauge
• Stitch marker
• Scissors
• Darning needle

Size – to fit average adult head, 20”-24” Gauge – 4 sts/in, stretched slightly

Abbreviations & Stitches Used

CO – cast on; K – knit; k2tog –knit two together; p – purl; p2tog – purl two together; rep – repeat;
rnd – round; st(s) – stitch(es)

Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved – Lynn Anne Banks

(Try this: 7-8 yds are needed for the decrease rounds/rows. Measure this amount from yarn
end, tie a knot to mark remaining amount for crown. There will certainly be enough to complete
hat.)

Hat (in the round)

CO 88 sts. Join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. (Try this: Cast on one extra stitch. When
joining in the round for the first row, knit together the last cast on stitch with the first cast on stitch. This
makes a firm join without the usual “gap”.)
Place marker at beg of round.

Next Rnd: *K2, p2; rep from * to marker.

Continue with this pattern until the hat measures 8” for hat without cuff, or 11” for hat with cuff.

Decrease Rounds (change to double-pointed needles when there are too few sts for circular needle)
Rnd 1: *K2, p2tog; rep from * to marker. (66 sts)
Rnd 2: *K2, p1; rep from * to marker.
Rnd 3: *K2tog, p1; rep from * to marker. (44 sts)
Rnd 4: *K1, p1; rep from * to marker.
Rnd 5: K2tog for complete round to marker. (22 sts)
Rnd 6: K to marker.

Break yarn, leaving a 10” tail. Thread tail through remaining sts and pull tightly. Secure to keep crown tight.
Weave in all ends.

Hat (flat)

CO 90 stitches.
Row 1 (RS): *K2, p2; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2: *P2, k2; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep Rows 1 and 2 until the hat measures 8” for hat without cuff, or 11” for hat with cuff.

Decrease Rounds
Row 1: *K2, p2tog; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2. (68 sts)
Row 2: *P2, k1; rep from * to last 2 sts, p2.
Row 3: *K2tog, p1; rep from * to last 2 sts, k2tog. (45 sts)
Row 4: *P1, k1; rep from * to last st, p1.
Row 5: K2tog across row to last st, k1. (23 sts)
Row 6: Purl.

Break yarn, leaving a 18” tail. Thread tail through remaining sts and pull tightly. Secure to keep crown tight.
Seam down hat, using one stitch from each side as seam allowance. Weave in all ends.

Copyright 2010 – All rights reserved – Lynn Anne Banks

This pattern is provided for your personal, non-commercial use (don’t sell hats from this pattern at the Farmers’ Market!)
and may not be resold. Please do share it, though, and encourage others to knit for charity.
Questions? Problems? Email nonsuchknits@gmail.com + + Nonsuch Knits, 2555 S. 177th Plaza, #168, Omaha, NE 68130

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